What are the Different Types of Brick Fences?

Brick fences are long-lasting, strong, expensive structures that can add privacy to a yard, accent the home's current aesthetic, or show off a beautifully landscaped yard. The type of brick fences available depend on the homeowner's needs and desires for his or her yard, and the fence itself can be a solid structure meant to block a view of the house, or a structure of brick pillars with iron fencing in between to accent the yard's beauty. Brick fences are typically built around two designs: either open, which shows off the yard and the house, or closed, which adds privacy and blocks the view of the home and yard.

Closed brick fences are essentially brick walls with few or no gaps in them. They are meant to enhance the privacy of a yard, and they are generally built to be quite tall to accomplish this purpose. Such a wall can also buffer sound well, so it is one of the better choices for homes that abut a busy roadway. Building brick fences allows the builder a multitude of options for accenting the home or building an eye-catching wall, since bricks are quite versatile. A plain brick wall may have accenting pillars, or occasional bricks that protrude from the wall to accent the texture.

Open brick fences are meant to accent the beauty of the house and yard. They are usually lower than closed fences so people can look over or through them to see the yard. Some open fences contain brick posts or pillars, which are then connected by iron fence panels, or even wooden fence panels. Other types of brick fence designs have the pillars connected by lower brick walls. The options for this type of brick fence are, again, almost limitless depending on the builder's skill level and the homeowner's plan for the home.

The color of the brick does not necessarily have to be red. Other brick colors — usually subdued, earth-tone shades — are available and can be made to match the color of the house in many cases. Other accents are available to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a brick fence as well; the brickwork can be made into arches, small enclosed structures can be built to house garbage cans or other yard tools, and wiring for lights can be run through the bricks so flood lights or other accenting lights can be affixed to the walls.